Police in Bali arrested a 25-year-old UK national this week for allegedly owing IDR3.7 million (US$257) to a hotel in Kuta.
The suspect, identified as SJD, reportedly stayed at the hotel between July 21 and Aug. 1, where he claimed to have booked a room at the hotel through booking site Agoda. The hotel staff said his payment didn’t go through as he paid with an expired credit card.
“Then the suspect made another booking and the same thing occurred. The suspect insisted that his credit card was still valid and that he will sort it out with Agoda,” Made Putra Yudistira, who heads the crime investigation unit at Kuta sub-precinct, said.
After it was established that his credit card can no longer be used, SJD promised to pay the hotel bill by wiring the money, which the hotel has yet to receive until now. According to reports, he left the hotel on Aug. 1, leaving behind his belongings in his room. It’s not yet known where SJD went between Aug. 1 and the date of his arrest.
The hotel management filed a police report late last month, leading to an investigation and SJD’s arrest. The foreigner was charged with fraud under Indonesia’s criminal code (KUHP), which is punishable by up to four years in prison. He is currently detained at the Kuta sub-precinct.
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